FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis)
A structured way to anticipate how an asset can fail, what happens when it does, and what to do about it.
Definition
FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) is a systematic method for identifying every plausible way an asset or process can fail, the effects of each failure, and a risk-ranked list of mitigations. It is the core input to a reliability-centred PM plan.
FMEA mechanics
For each asset function, list failure modes. For each failure mode, score three dimensions 1–10:
- Severity (S)
- Occurrence (O)
- Detection (D)
RPN (Risk Priority Number) = S × O × D. Address high-RPN modes first via PM, redesign, or detection upgrades.
FMEA vs criticality
Criticality ranks whole assets. FMEA goes one level deeper — ranking failure modes within an asset. A good maintenance program uses both: criticality to decide which assets deserve FMEA, FMEA to decide the PM tasks for those assets.
FMEA in FacilityLane
FacilityLane stores failure modes on each asset class, lets PMs be tagged to the failure mode they target, and lets you trend RPN over time as detections and interventions change. LAYLA can surface assets whose failure patterns suggest the FMEA needs an update.
FAQ
Common questions about FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis).
No. Reserve FMEA for A-critical assets or for repeating failure problems where you need to understand root cause systematically.
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